The TCU rifle team finished their 2010-11 season with a 4,699-4,620 win over Air Force in the NCAA Qualifier Saturday.
Through the win, the Frogs set school records for aggregate score as well as in smallbore, where they posted a mark of 2,332.
Freshman Catherine Green led the Frogs in smallbore competition, shooting a personal best 586, including a perfect 100 in the final round.
The Frogs put forth an impressive effort in air rifle, taking home the top five spots. Sophomore Caitlin Morrissey finished first with a 594, followed by sophomore Sarah Scherer’s 593, sophomore Sarah Beard’s 591, junior Mattie Brogdon’s 589, and a 588 by freshman Catherine Green.
The win over the Falcons marks the 23rd straight win for the Frogs heading into the NCAA Championships in March.
Saturday’s win is just one of many highlights of the undefeated 2010-11 campaign for the Frogs.
Scherer’s individual effort this season was a big part of the team’s success.
The sophomore was named one of TCU’s Athletes of the Week in October, USA Shooting Athlete of the Month for January, and one of TCU’s January Scholar-Athletes of the Month along with Andy Dalton.
Scherer also competed at the Bavarian Championships in Munich, Germany, bringing home a gold medal and a fourth-place finish.
The season started with a victory at the Ole Miss Invitational, where the team set then-records in aggregate score (4,676) and smallbore (2,321).
The Frogs took home two tournament wins this season, the second being at The Citadel on Nov. 13.
In that win, Scherer tied TCU’s school record with her performance in air rifle. She also won smallbore.
The Frogs also put up convincing wins against Air Force (4,662-4,610) on Jan. 16 and at Nebraska (4,688-4,585) on Feb. 6.
“I’m proud of all the team members and what they have accomplished this season,” said head rifle coach Karen Monez in a TCU Athletics release. “Finishing the regular season undefeated is a great way to cap an impressive year.”
TCU’s undefeated season gives them a chance to defend their national title next month.
In the national championship last year, the Frogs came back on the final day to overcome a six-point deficit to Alaska.
Led by senior Erin Lorenzen’s air rifle performance, the Frogs finished first in the event and in total score, posting a score of 4,675. Alaska and West Virginia rounded out the top three in 2010.
As the championships approach, coach Karen Monez said that the focus is on individual goals.
“As a team, we are striving to shoot the best team aggregate possible, but to achieve our team goals we need to stay focused on individual goals and performance,” Monez said.
She said preparing for championships is about knowing the team can perform at a championship level, not about peaking at the right time.
The NCAA Championships will take place in Columbus, Ga. on March 11 and 12.
